Ben Melzer, an athlete and fitness model, finished runner-up in the magazine’s “Ultimate Guy Cover Contest”, but he’ll appear on the cover of a collector’s edition, due to be published in April.

The 28-year-old said he was inspired to enter the competition by Aydian Dowling, the American trans bodybuilder who was a finalist in a similar contest for Men’s Health US last year and eventually became the magazine’s first transgender cover star.

In a series of online interviews, Melzer – born Yvonne – has spoken openly about his transition.